Introduction to Standards
The Grain Size Analysis module supports the following standards:
|
Standard |
Description |
|---|---|
|
ASTM E 112-13 ASTM E 112 - 24 |
Refers to the following methods:
Standard test methods for determining average grain size. This standard provides methods for estimating and rules for specifying the average grain size of all metals consisting wholly or essentially of a single phase. You can measure the grain size of samples consisting of two phases or a phase and a constituent by a combination of two methods: by measuring the volume fraction of the phase and by intercept or planimetric counting. You can also use the test methods for any microstructures that have a similar appearance to the metallic microstructures shown in the comparison tables. |
|
ASTM E1382 - 97 (2015) |
Refers to the following methods:
This standard covers methods for determining the average grain size and the distribution of grain section lengths or grain areas for polycrystalline metals and non-metallic materials. These can have the following properties:
The measurements you carry out with semi-automatic digitized tablet image analyzers or automatic image analyzers. These devices enable you to acquire a large amount of data and extensive samples, which lead to a better statistical definition of the grain size than with manual methods. |
|
DIN EN ISO 643:2020 DIN EN ISO 643:2024 |
Refers to the following methods:
This standard covers steel-micro photographic determination of recognizable grain size. This standard specifies micro graphic methods of determining apparent ferritic or austenitic grain size in steels. It describes the methods of revealing grain boundaries and of estimating the mean grain size of specimens with unimodal size distribution. Although grains are three-dimensional in shape, the metallographic sectioning plane can cut through a grain at any point from a grain corner, to the maximum diameter of the grain, thus producing a range of apparent grain sizes on the two-dimensional plane, even in a sample with a perfectly consistent grain size. |
|
GB/T 6394 - 2017 |
Refers to the following methods:
This standard specifies the expression and determination methods of the average grain size of metal structure; it is applicable to the single-phase structure; however, after being specified, it is also applicable to the determination of the average grain size of the certain type in the multi-phase or multi-component sample. If the histomorphology of the non-metallic material is similar to the metal structure in the rating chart, it may also make reference to it. This standard uses the grain area, diameter or intercept length of the unimodal distribution (similar to the lognormal distribution) to determine the average grain size of the sample, AND it is not applicable to the grain size of the bimodal distribution. |
Planimetric Method
Using this method the grain boundaries will be detected and the individual grain sizes will be determined automatically. The grain size distribution is also available in addition to the average grain size. The method can be used either with a classical thresholding or Machine Learning depending on how easily visible the grain boundaries are. The analysis takes place in accordance with the following standards:
- ASTM E 112 - 13, 24
- ASTM E1382 - 97 (2015)
- DIN EN ISO 643:2020; 2024
- GB/T 6394 - 2017
All data are saved and managed in one place – the Archive – which has search and filter functions. This ensures that the data can be relocated easily.
The default workflows (job templates) of the method are described, see Grain Size Analysis (Planimetric)
Intercept Method
Using this method the microscope image can be overlaid with different patterns, for example circles or parallel lines. The selected pattern can then be easily adjusted to fit the image. The intercept points with the grain boundaries will be recognized automatically. You can add or remove additional intercept points.
As the length of the pattern of lines is known, it is possible to determine the average grain size. This procedure corresponds to the requirements of the standard and the method is suitable for different kind of sample types. The analysis takes place in accordance with the following standards:
- ASTM E 112 - 13; 24
- ASTM E 1382 - 97 (2015)
- DIN EN ISO 643:2020; 2024
- GB/T 6394 - 2017
The default workflow (job template) of the method is described, see Grain Size Analysis (Intercept).
Comparison Method
Using this method you can compare microscope images with comparative diagrams from the standard. This method is primarily suited for steel and metal samples, as the comparative diagrams have been created on the basis of steels. This is a interactive and visual method. The following comparative diagrams are available:
- ASTM E 112 - 13 (Plate I - IV)
- ASTM E 112 - 24 (Plate I - IV)
- GB/T 6394 - 2017 (Plate I - IV)
- DIN EN ISO 643:2020
- DIN EN ISO 643:2024
The default workflow (job template) of the method is described, see Grain Size Analysis (Comparison).
Intellesis Method
This method uses machine learning algorithms and pre-trained models to detect grain boundaries and determine grain sizes automatically. For general information, see Intellesis Segmentation.
AI Instance Segmentation Method
This method uses pre-trained AI models for instance segmentation to detect grain boundaries and determine grain sizes automatically. Note that you need the software Docker Desktop running on your computer to be able to use the models. You also need to download your models to have them available, see Downloading AI Models.